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Johnson CJ, Kulkarni A, Buxton WJ, Hui TY, Kayastha A, Khoja AA, Leandre J, Mehta VV, Ostrowski L, Pareizs EG, Scotto RL, Vargas V, Vellingiri RM, Verzino G, Vohra R, Wakade SC, Winkeljohn VM, Winkeljohn VM, Rotterman TM, Stolfi A. Using CRISPR/Cas9 to identify genes required for mechanosensory neuron development and function. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio060002. [PMID: 37589291 PMCID: PMC10497037 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tunicates are marine, non-vertebrate chordates that comprise the sister group to the vertebrates. Most tunicates have a biphasic lifecycle that alternates between a swimming larva and a sessile adult. Recent advances have shed light on the neural basis for the tunicate larva's ability to sense a proper substrate for settlement and initiate metamorphosis. Work in the highly tractable laboratory model tunicate Ciona robusta suggests that sensory neurons embedded in the anterior papillae transduce mechanosensory stimuli to trigger larval tail retraction and initiate the process of metamorphosis. Here, we take advantage of the low-cost and simplicity of Ciona by using tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis to screen for genes potentially involved in mechanosensation and metamorphosis, in the context of an undergraduate 'capstone' research course. This small screen revealed at least one gene, Vamp1/2/3, which appears crucial for the ability of the papillae to trigger metamorphosis. We also provide step-by-step protocols and tutorials associated with this course, in the hope that it might be replicated in similar CRISPR-based laboratory courses wherever Ciona are available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Akhil Kulkarni
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - William J. Buxton
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Tsz Y. Hui
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Anusha Kayastha
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Alwin A. Khoja
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Joviane Leandre
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Vanshika V. Mehta
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Logan Ostrowski
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Erica G. Pareizs
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Scotto
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Vanesa Vargas
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Raveena M. Vellingiri
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Giulia Verzino
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Rhea Vohra
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Saurabh C. Wakade
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | | | | | - Travis M. Rotterman
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
| | - Alberto Stolfi
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332 Atlanta, GO, USA
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Johnson CJ, Kulkarni A, Buxton WJ, Hui TY, Kayastha A, Khoja AA, Leandre J, Mehta VV, Ostrowski L, Pareizs EG, Scotto RL, Vargas V, Vellingiri RM, Verzino G, Vohra R, Wakade SC, Winkeljohn VM, Winkeljohn VM, Rotterman TM, Stolfi A. Using CRISPR/Cas9 to identify genes required for mechanosensory neuron development and function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.08.539861. [PMID: 37214826 PMCID: PMC10197531 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.08.539861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tunicates are marine, non-vertebrate chordates that comprise the sister group to the vertebrates. Most tunicates have a biphasic lifecycle that alternates between a swimming larva and a sessile adult. Recent advances have shed light on the neural basis for the tunicate larva's ability to sense a proper substrate for settlement and initiate metamorphosis. Work in the highly tractable laboratory model tunicate Ciona robusta suggests that sensory neurons embedded in the anterior papillae of transduce mechanosensory stimuli to trigger larval tail retraction and initiate the process of metamorphosis. Here, we take advantage of the low-cost and simplicity of Ciona by using tissue-specific CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis to screen for genes potentially involved in mechanosensation and metamorphosis, in the context of an undergraduate "capstone" research course. This small screen revealed at least one gene, Vamp1/2/3 , that appears crucial for the ability of the papillae to trigger metamorphosis. We also provide step-by-step protocols and tutorials associated with this course, in the hope that it might be replicated in similar CRISPR-based laboratory courses wherever Ciona are available.
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Ferrario C, Sugni M, Somorjai IML, Ballarin L. Beyond Adult Stem Cells: Dedifferentiation as a Unifying Mechanism Underlying Regeneration in Invertebrate Deuterostomes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:587320. [PMID: 33195242 PMCID: PMC7606891 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.587320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of regenerative phenomena seen in adult metazoans, as well as their underlying mechanistic bases, are still far from being comprehensively understood. Reviewing both ultrastructural and molecular data, the present work aims to showcase the increasing relevance of invertebrate deuterostomes, i.e., echinoderms, hemichordates, cephalochordates and tunicates, as invaluable models to study cellular aspects of adult regeneration. Our comparative approach suggests a fundamental contribution of local dedifferentiation -rather than mobilization of resident undifferentiated stem cells- as an important cellular mechanism contributing to regeneration in these groups. Thus, elucidating the cellular origins, recruitment and fate of cells, as well as the molecular signals underpinning tissue regrowth in regeneration-competent deuterostomes, will provide the foundation for future research in tackling the relatively limited regenerative abilities of vertebrates, with clear applications in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Ferrario
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Physics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Sugni
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Physics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- GAIA 2050 Center, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ildiko M. L. Somorjai
- The Willie Russel Laboratories, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, North Haugh, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
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